.C6 05 
1917 
Copy 1 




STATE OF COLORADO 



War Council 

and 

Ways and Means Committee 
Food Supply 




REPORTS TO 

HON. JULIUS C. GUNTER 

GOVERNOR 

by 

H. W. CORNELL 

Director of Organization, Ways and Means Committee 

A. W. GRANT, Secretary of War Council 

GERALD HUGHES of the War Council 

W. H. KERR, Chairman Marketing Committee 

AS TRANSMITTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE TWENTY-FIRST 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, JULY 25th, 1917 



REPORT OF H. W. CORNELL, DIRECTOR OF ORGANI- 
ZATION WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, 
STATE OF COLORADO. 

JULY 24. 1917. 



To His Excellency Julius C. Gunter, Governor. 

Sir: By direction of the executive committee of the Ways 
and Means Committee of the War Council of Colorado I here- 
with present to you a report of the work accomplished by said 
committee, the campaigns noAv in progress over the state and 
action contemplated in the future. 

pers6nnel of committee. 

The executive committee of the Ways and Means Committee 
of the War Council consists of the following named gentlemen : 
J. K. Mullen, Chairman; A. W. Grant, Secretary; George B. 
Berger, C. A. Kendrick. Lou D. Sweet. Fred P. Johnson, H. W. 
Cornell. It c.ame into being on the 23d of April, 1917, to meet 
the demands for a small body of men who could meet daily and 
grapple with the problems that arose from day to day. The 
committee since that time has met each business morning in the 
office of the War Council Ways and Means Committee in the 
State Capitol at 8 :45. 

In general its work has been that of a clearing house for all 
requests coming from the federal government and its various war 
agencies and in keeping of war activities in the state aside from 
military work co-ordinated, co-operating and moving along well- 
defined"^ lines as laid down by the War Council Ways and Means 
Committee and the executive officers of the state. 

FINANCES. 

The expenditures directed by the executive committee under 
the authority of the War Council and Ways and Means Com- 
ijiittee up to and including the 17th day of July, 1917, covering 
all costs of organization over the state, postage, salaries, station- 
ery and printing, amounted to $2,884.40. In addition to this an 
appropriation of $4,200 has been set aside for the activities of 
the Market Committee to be expended under the direction of 
W. H. Kerr, Chairman of the committee, during the harvesting 
and marketing of the crops this fall and in preparation therefor, 

[21 
D. of Da 

AUG 20 1917 



Y1^^-^ 



ITmioimt, at ! 



whicl^Srfnoimt, at 'a subsequent meeting, was increased to $8,200 
to meet unexpected contingencies. The total amount subscribed 
by the patriotic citizens of Colorado for the use of the War 
Council and its various committees was $12,295. Of this sum 
$6,535 has been paid in and the remainder, $5,760, will be paid 
when a further call under the terms of the subscription is made. 
This has not yet been necessary. 

ACTIVITIES. 

The first great task that confronted the executive committee 
was extension of some form of organization over the state. It 
was decided to create in each connty a Ways and Means Com- 
mittee which should have general jurisdiction over war activities 
aside from military in each county. These committees have been 
"appointed in each of the counties of the state, the membership 
being recommended by the citizens of the respective counties in 
order that the largest possible element of home rule should be 
present in each organization. Without exception the recom- 
mendations of each county have been followed in the perfecting 
of this organization. 

The Ways and Means Committees of the several counties 
have been guided b}^ local necessities in the character of their 
organizations which, because of the varying character of the 
activities of the several counties, differ in makeup and in plan of 
operation. Generally speaking, all organization in the purelv 
agricultural counties are identical in general form with the State 
Ways and Means Committee, while in the non-agricultural coun- 
ties changes to meet conditions have been made with the consent 
of the executive committee. 

No funds have been received from the federal or state gov- 
ernments wherewith to aid any county. To meet this condition 
the committee early decided that each county organization should 
be urged to organize its county on a co-operative basis constitut- 
ing the unit of a self-supporting and co-operative community. 

This form of organization has resulted in the maximum of 
benefit. In some of the counties the local Ways and Means Com- 
mittees have raised by voluntary subscription, or have endorsed 
guarantee notes in lieu thereof, to the extent of $50,000 to aid 
worthy farmers and increase the production of the county to its 
greatest limits. 

The several subcommittees of the Ways and Means Com- 
mittee, acting heartily in accord with the suggestions of the 
executive committee, have rendered exceptional service to such 
counties as sought their aid and advice. 

The Finance Committee was responsible for active co-opera- 
tion between the banks of the large monev centers of the state and 



the smaller banks of the remote sections, arranging for liberal 
rediscount rates and the taking up by the banks of the larger 
centers of loans made by the smaller banks to farmers, thus keep- 
ing a steady flow of monej^ on the firing line for the benefit of 
those who needed to borrow of the local banks. 

The Seed Committee adopted drastic means to keep within 
the State of Colorado all available seed supply. It procured 
from the railroads a voluntary embargo on the exportation of 
seed and by stepping into the market itself and purchasing car- 
loads of seed to sell at cost to the farmers, it kept down the price 
of seed to residents of Colorado far below that of neighboring 
states. Furthermore, in the distribution particularly of the po- 
tato seed, its services were of exceptional value. Owing to the 
scarcity of this seed the committee took steps whereby the well 
known potato lands of the state Avere first seeded to capacity be- 
fore permitting any seed to go into the hands of those who de- 
sired to plant it in land not rated as potato land. 

The Committee on Tractors did yeoman service in locating 
each tractor of the state and seeing to it that all were employed 
to the maximum. Many of these tractors work twenty-four 
hours in the day, being lighted by gas headlights so they could 
work throughout the dark hours. The result is the largest acre- 
age of new land put under cultivation in the history of any state 
of the Union so far as our investigation goes. 

The Committee on Live Stock, of which Governor Ammons 
is Chairman, has made no report of its activities, so we cannot 
set forth herein what it has done. 

The Committee on Markets, unde;- the chairmanship of Mr. 
W. H. Kerr, has worked out a system of distribution that prom- 
ises stupendous results to the farmers of Colorado and to the con- 
sumers as well. This committee is now taking a survey of the 
state to determine, first, what each county in the state is going to 
produce in the way of foodstuffs, and, second, to determine what 
each county will consume until another harvest in each line of 
foodstuffs. The net balance will show how nearly each county 
will be self-supporting. The committee will then undertake to 
supply shortages by the shortest haul from the nearest counties 
having surpluses in the line desired and to move surpluses by the 
shortest haul to the nearest counties having shortages in those 
lines. By this method of distribution vast sums in transporta- 
tion can be saved and undue profits by middlemen and food 
pirates eliminated. The success of the plan, of course, depends 
upon the support and co-operation of the different counties which 
are of necessity required to furnish storage facilities to care for 
the supplies needed. 

After the wants of the various counties of the state are cared 

[4] 



for by this jolan the committee proposes to pool the surphis of the 
state and sell it direct in bulk to the federal government. " 

I am advised by Mr. Kerr that Clarence Owsley, Assistant 
Secretary of Agriculture, has on behalf of the federal government 
accepted the offer of Colorado and agreed to take her surplus of 
staples in bulk at the market price for the army and navy. If 
this is carried out it will be the first time in the history of the 
United States that the farmers of any one state acting in co- 
oi^eration have been able to sell to the federal government its 
supplies without being subjected to the extortionate demands of 
rapacious middlemen-. 

The labor problems of the state are most perplexing in view 
of the high price of labor and the consequent absence of itinerant 
farm hands generally noticeable in the harvest period. Professor 
W. E. Foarcl, State Agricultural College, who is acting also as 
labor expert of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, 
has direct supervision of the labor problems of the state, while 
J. AV. Kelley of Denver, Chairman of the State Farm Labor 
Committee, and Joseph F. Jaffa of Denver, as head of the Boys' 
Working Eeserve of the state, are co-operating with Mr. Foard. 
The whole problem is one of mobilizing the entire labor power of 
the state. This being done by each county first taking a survey 
of its own possibilities and needs and determining when its short- 
age will be at its greatest. These shortages will be supplied so 
far as possible from counties having surplus, either experienced 
labor or of volunteers who are willing to serve the state by de- 
voting their vacation periods to this splendid work. Plans in 
this regard are nearing completion and it is hoped that the efforts 
of those responsible wnll result in the saving of the crop entire. 

The Publicity Committee has not been able to achieve the 
success which it "has desired in keeping the people of the state 
posted as to the activities of the War Council and Ways and 
Means Committee. The demands upon the papers because of the 
tremendous war news emanating from abroad and from our na- 
tional capital, together with the space devoted to the Liberty 
Bond, Red Cross and recruiting campaigns, have necessitated the 
omission of much of the news regarding farm activities. This is 
true of our papers in Denver and the weekly papers over the 
state. I have no criticism to offer of the editors of these papers 
and no charge to make of intended slighting of the news. I am 
convinced that it has been physically impossible to find space to 
devote to this most important subject. 

Aside from the tremendous work done in aiding the various 
counties in perfecting their organization and in the direction 
thereof, which included numberless trips by members of the com- 
mittee over the state, much has been done in aid of the general 
campaigns of the federal government. 

[5] 



Efficient service has been rendered by the Ways and Means 
Committees of the several counties of the state in aiding in the 
selective conscription registration, the Liberty Bond campaign, 
the raising of the Red Cross fund and in the registration of the 
women under the Hoover call. All of these things called for 
much sacrifice and unlimited service, all of which was rendered 
Avith magnificent loyalty and patriotism. 

CONCLUSION. 

In conclusion I desire to say that it is impossible within the 
reasonable limits of any report to do justice to the patriotism of 
the men who have devoted so much time to the work of the state 
without compensation other than the knowledge of a service ren- 
dered for the public good. The members of the executive com- 
mittee have given of their time and ability without stint and all 
upon whom they have called for service have unhesitatingly and 
without reserve responded to that call. 

There have been days of disappointment. There have been 
times when the committee felt overwhelmed by the almost endless 
burdens that were cast upon them. The paths the committee 
were asked to tread had never before been traversed by men. 
Their work has all been pioneer work. It may be full of errors 
as time will show, or it may be perfect. No one knows. They 
have done what in their judgment was best in the interests of the 
plain people and are willing to stand upon that platform. 

They feel that the spirit of universal brotherhood which has 
come as a result of the intense co-operation of Coloradoans in 
their efforts to rise to the demands of the President and of your- 
self, has done much to upbuild the state and to lay the foundation 
for still further greatness. The wonderful showing in the in- 
crease of crop acreage, as evidenced b}^ the planting this year of 
approximately 250,000 acres of beans as against 38,000 acres one 
year ago, is indicative of the effort that Colorado is making. 
With fair weather conditions this crop alone would support an 
army of a million men in the trenches for nearly a year. 

Respectfully submitted, 

H. W. CORNELL, 
Director of Organization. 



SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. 

To His Excellency Julius C. Gunter, Governor. 

Sir: At a meeting of the executive committee of the Wnys 
and Means Committee of the War Council held at the office of 



Mr. George B. Berger July 2-i, at which were present Mr. Berger, 
Mr. C. A. Kendrick and Mr. H. W. Cornell, extended considera- 
tion was given to the question of what, if any, legislation would 
be of aid m the matter of food regulation in the State of Colorado. 

Mr. W. H. Kerr, federal field agent in marketing, who is 
also Chairman of the Subcommittee on Markets of the State 
Ways and Means Committee, was invited to the meeting and par- 
ticipated in the discussion. 

It Avas the consensus of opinion of the meeting that inasmuch 
as any federal statute regulating the price of foodstufl's, and the 
control thereof, would necessarily be limited to articles of inter- 
state commerce and so would not affect intrastate commerce, it 
was advisable that legislation be enacted to supply this deficiency. 

The committee therefore unanimously resolved that inasmuch 
as Congress has not as yet seen fit to finally pass a food control 
bill, and probably will not do so before the adjournment of the 
Legislature session in this state and, consequently, specific regu- 
lations cannot with safety be adopted lest they conflict with the 
final form of the food control bill, that the whole matter, so far 
as state regulation is concerned, should be entrusted to the Chief 
Executive of the state under a bill giving him specific authority 
to exercise within the state all police and regulatory powers re- 
garding foodstuffs, their distribution and regulation, which may 
hereafter be vested in the President of the United States, or any 
other officer thereof. 

The committee finds that to recommend any other course 
would be to invite not only a conflict of authority but a chaotic 
condition of affairs that might result disastrously to the people 
of the State of Colorado. 

The committee feels that only by vesting the widest authority 
and discretion in some one official can possible unforeseen exigen- 
cies be met, and they feel that under such circumstances it is 
eminently fitting that such authority be vested in the Chief 
Executive, to beby him delegated, if he sees fit, to such officials 
or commissions as in his judgment the critical situation of the 
hour may demand. 

Very respectfully yours, 

II. W. CORNELL, 

Director of Organization. 



[7 



KEPORT OF A. W. GRANT, SECRETARY OF WAR 
COUNCIL, STATE OF COLORADO. 

JULY 24, 1917. 



To His Excellency Julius C. Gunter, Governor. 

Sir : As the report of H. W. Cornell, Director of Organiza- 
tion of the Ways and Means Committee, made you under date 
of July 24, deals more with the activities of the Ways and Means 
Committee and its subsidiary committees, I want to briefly in 
this communication speak of the War Council and" its work. 

The War Council of Colorado was created on March 29 with 
the following members : 

J. K. Mullen, Chairman; Cass Herrington, H. U. Mudge, 
John W. Morey, Horace N. Hawkins, L. G. Carpenter and Gen- 
eral Harry Gamble. Later Gerald Hughes and John Evans were 
added to it. 

April 9 the Ways and Means Committee of the War Council 
was appointed and consists of the following : 

J. K. Mullen, Chairman; Horace W. Bennett, Charles A. 
Lory, John C. Mitchell, C. C. Hamlin, C. A. Kendrick, H. J. 
Alexander, George B. Berger and W. C. Thornton. 

This committee appointed subcommittees, the Chairmen of 
which are as follows : 

Finance, Horace W. Bennett; Seed, Lou D. Sweet; Tractors, 
Prof. Alvin Kezer; Live Stock, E. M. Amnions; Marketing, 
W. H. Kerr; Organization, C. A. Kendrick; Publicity, Fred P. 
Johnson; Farm Labor, J. W. Kellev; Director of Organization, 
H.W.Cornell.' 

A. W. Grant and George B. Berger were respectively ap- 
pointed secretary and treasurer of both the War Council and 
Ways and Means Committee. 

As will be seen by the Cornell report, the Ways and Means 
Committee has had to do with the increase of food production, 
conservation and marketing, while the War Council dealt more 
with matters relating to military affairs and protection of prop- 
erty such as waterworks, reservoirs, railroads, power plants, mills, 
elevators, public buildings, etc. The work has been endless and 
exceedingly burdensome. 

[8] 



The council has been convened fit a moment's notice and has 
been in continuous session from two to seven hours at a sitting. 
Let me cite specific instances: At the house of Cass Herrington 
on April 23 the council met at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 1:30 
the following fnorning: again at your home on May 2 it convened 
at 6 :30 p. m. and adjourned at i o'clock in the morning. As a 
rule sessions lasted four or five hours. Only last Friday th" 
council met in the executive chambers at 2:30 p. m. and remained 
in continuous session until 7 :30 p. m., trying to devise ways and 
means to settle the Leadville strike. It convened again the fol- 
lowing day on the same matter and was in session from 3 :30 to 
7:30 p. m., and is to meet again on Wednesday, July 25, to fur- 
ther continue its efforts to bring about a settlement of the strike. 

Never did men respond to duty's call more unselfishly and 
earnestly than have the members of Colorado's War Council. 
Your Excellency and the writer can testify to that better than 
any others, for at all times we have had intimate connection with 
it. I want to dwell a moment on a case in point. The Sepretary 
of War called for the executive, or his personal representative, to 
come to Washington to represent Colorado at a meeting of the 
National Council of Defense held there on May 2 and 3. It Avas 
imperative that someone should go so that the state might be 
advised fully as to what was required of it in the preparation 
for war. The executive felt, and the War Council agreed with 
him, that the situation demanded his continued presence in the 
state. Thereupon he called upon Gerald Hughes to go, and Mr. 
Hughes responded and went, and would not even accept from the 
War Council the expense he incurred. A copy of the splendid 
and comprehensive report of Mr. Hughes I am attaching to this 
communication. 

I would like to dwell upon the work of each member of the 
council, but space forbids. I cannot, however, let the opportunity 
pass without adverting briefly to the work of John Evans as 
Provost Marshal. He^had charge of the registration under the 
selective conscriptic*i act and in the work had to blaze out patlis 
never before trodden by man. The volume of work and the 
difRcultiei? to be overcome can only be appreciated by those who 
had intimate knowledge of the work. Mr. Evans gave weeks of 
his time, both night and day, to the task and mastered the prob- 
lems without recompense of any kind save the feeling that must 
abide in every patriotic citizen's heart when he has contributed 
something worth while to his country's benefit in its hour of 
peril. Much of the work of the council of necessity had to be of 
a secret nature and the public at this time cannot be advised con- 
cerning it, but as time unfolds the record will disclose that never 
was a body of men of loftier purpose and more resolute devotion 
to dutv banded together. Thev serve without pay. They serve 



because the time has arrived in our history when every citizen, 
high or low, rich or poor, if impregnated with the proper kind 
of patriotism, must seek to serve his country in some capacity. 

In conclusion I want to point to the record of the work of 
the War Council accomplished through its various committees 
that is open to everybody. Colorado holds the record for being 
the first organized and the best organized state in the Union, 
along the lines laid down by the federal government for the in- 
crease of food production, harvesting, marketing and conserva- 
tion. This is admitted by the Department of Agriculture at 
Washington. Colorado also shows as great a percentage of in- 
crease in acreage planted as any other state. This has been 
accomplished at an expense to the state on August 1 next of 
$1,030.83, and Avith a total expenditure otherwise of $2,884.40 at 
close of business on July 17. I am attaching a copy of our finan- 
cial statement of said date. 

Respectfully submitted, 

A. W. GRANT, 

Secretary. 



STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS 

OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE OF THE 

STATE OJ^^ COLORADO WAR COUNCIL. 

JULY 17, 1917. 



RECEIPTS. 

Subscriptions received $12,295.00 

Less subscriptions unpaid 5,760.00 

Balance, being cash reed, from subscriptions . . $6,535.00 

Received from sale of seed beans 87.45 

Received from sale of bronze badges 285.40 

Received and due to Hoover badge account. . 78.80 



Total receipts " ?^6.9S6.65 



DISBURSEMENTS. 

Postage $ 175.00 

Salaries 1.207.08 

Expense 706.31 

Stationery and printing 796.01 

■ $2,884.40 

Bronze badges .purchased from Colorado 

Badge & Novelty Co 549.00 

Total disbursements $3,433.40 

Balance cash in bank 3,553.25 

$6,986.65 

BRONZE BADGES. 

10,000 purchased at 9c each $900.00 

Sold 285.40 

Due from unsold badges ." -. . 614.60 

H00\nER BADGES. 

Collected account Hoover badges, which is to be remitted 

to Herbert Hoover $78.80 



11 



WAYS AND MEAX8 COMMITTEE, STATE OF COLO- 
RADO WAR COUNCIL. 
TRIAL BALANCE CLOSE OF BUSINESS JULY 17, 1917. 

Cash in bank $3,553.25 

Bronze badge account 614.60 

Unpaid subscriptions: ^ 

J. K. Mullen .$500.00 

Great Western Sugar Co 500.00 

Cass Herrington 125.00 

J. C. Gunter 100.00 

H. U. Mudge 125.00 

H.E.Johnson 50.00 

Colorado National Bank 500.00 

United States National Bank 250.00 

H. M. Blackmer 250.00 

Denver National Bank 500.00 

Mountain States T. & T. Co 500.00 

First National Bank 500.00 

H. M. Porter 125.00 

L. H. Guldman 50.00 

Bennett & Myers 100.00 

Denver Union AVater Co 250.00 

John H. Porter 50.00 

Frank L. Bishop 50.00 

Hungarian Flour Mills 125.00 

Excelsior Flour Mills 100.00 

C. C. Hamlin 50.00 

Crescent Flour Mill 100.00 

Denver Elevator 100.00 

Denver Gas & Electric Co 500.00 

International Trust Co 250.00 

O. H. Shoup 10.00 

— $ 5,760.00 

$ 9,927.85 

Postage 175.00 

Salaries 1,207.08 

Expense 706.31 

Stationery and printing 796.01 

$12,812.25 

Colorado Badge and Novelty Co $ 351.00 

Subscriptions received - . 12.295.00 

Profit on seed beans 87.45 

Due to Hoover badge account 78.80 

$12,812.25 



GERALD HUGHES, 
International Trust Building. 

Denver, Colorado, May 10, 1917. 

Hon. Julius C. Gunter, Governor of the State of Colorado, 
Denver, Colorado. 

Sir: Pursuant to my appointment as vour representative, 
and that of your War Council, to attend the National Conference 
of Defense, to be held at Washington, D. C, May 2. 1917, and 
under your direction, I left Denv'er April 29, 1917, arriving in 
Washington Tuesday, May 1, 1917, and beg to submit this, my 
report of the proceedings and transactions of the National Con- 
ference of Defense. 

On Wednesday. May 2, 1917, at 9 :30 a. m., registration was 
had at the headquarters of the Section on Co-operation with State 
Organizations of the Council of National Defense and Advisorv 
Commission, located in the Munsey Building, and upon receiving 
our credentials, we repaired in a body to the office of the Secre- 
tary of War. Every state of the United States was represented, 
either by its Governor or by its representative duly designated 
and accredited. 

The first meeting was presided over by Secretary of War 
Mr. Baker, and there were also in attendance the following, who 
made addresses to our conference : 

Secretary of Navy Mr. Daniels. 

Secretary of Interior Mr. Lane. 

Secretary of Commerce Mr. Redfield. 

Chief of Staff General Scott. 

Adjutant General McCain. 

Judge Advocate General Crowder. 

Walter S. Gilford, Director of the Council and of the Ad- 
visorv Commission. 

H. E. Coffin, member of Advisory Commission. 

At this session the Secretary of War, as well as Generals 
McCain and Crowder.^ laid particular emphasis on the prepara- 
tion for and carrying out of the enrollment under the new selec- 
tive conscription act to be passed, explaining in detail the meth- 
ods which are to be transmitted in writing to yourself, and the 
plenary power to be vested in the Governors of the states and the 
civil autliorities to effect this enrollment, enlistment and exami- 
nation. 

The Secretary of the Navy announced that the naval comple- 
ment was complete and that every effort of the Department of 

[131 



Navy was to be directed to the construction of ships and the pro- 
tection of commerce with the allies. 

Secretary of the Interior Lane called attention to domestic 
conditions, the necessity for co-ordination and the importance 
of the Patent Bureau, particularly in connection with new in- 
ventions and devices for meeting the submarine menace. 

Adjournment was taken at 12:30 p.m. with reconvention at 
1 :50 p. m. 

At 2 p. m. the President afforded us a reception at the White 
House with personal introductions and a short and forceful ad- 
dress by the President, asking for the hearty co-operation of the 
several states in meeting the present crisis. 

At 3 :30 p. m. we reconvened in offices of the Council of Na- 
tional Defense, in the Munsey Building, and listened to an ad- 
dress by Mr. Gifford, explaining the organization itself; an 
a,ddress by the Secretary of Labor, Mr. Wilson, emphasizing the 
necessity of harmony between capital and labor, the maintenance 
of the present standard of living, the inadvisability of the con- 
scription of labor for private enterprise, the inadvisability of the 
use of convicts in connection with citizens, and the policy of the 
government and labor leaders to countenance and uphold no 
strike which shall be declared for the purpose of obtaining an 
advantage for labor which it had not obtained prior to the war. 

In the absence of the Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Houston, 
his assistant. Dr. Peatson, spoke on the activities of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture and particularly on the act which they were 
then seeking to have enacted to provide a fund of twenty-five 
million dollars with which to carry on the activities of this de- 
partment. 

This session adjourned at 6 p. m. 

At 7 :30 p. m. an informal dinner was held at the New Wil- 
lard Hotel to discuss matters of interest to the conferees. At this 
meeting there was some disposition shown to criticize the indefi- 
niteness of the program so far disclosed, and to urge a permanent 
organization on the part of the states, with a president and secre- 
tary, and headquarters in Washington, so that there might be a 
direct line of communication betAveen the executives of the several 
states and Washington. Better counsel prevailed and it was 
concluded that we were there as guests of the National Council 
of Defense, we should listen to their program through to com- 
jDletion and that no attempt should be made to effect further 
organizations which might be cumbersome and useless. 

The sessions in the Munsey Building were resumed Thursday, 
May 3, at 9 :30 a. m. and continued with one hour recess at noon 
until 5 p. m. of that same day, at which time we returned to tlie 

[14] 



office of the Secretary of War, and again met the cabinet mem- 
bers of the Council of National Defense, expressed in a formal 
resolution our appreciation of the efforts which had been made 
to explain to us the situation and the confidence in the manner 
in which preparations were being made, and the national officers 
Avere discharging their duties. 

Addresses on this day were made by Mr. Daniel Willard of 
the Advisory Commission; Dr. Martin, representing the 
Medical Section: Dr. Hall, representing the National Eesearch 
Council; Mr. Coffin, for the Subcommittee on jNIunitions 
Manufacturing, including Standardization and Industrial Rela- 
tions: Mr. Elliott Wadsworth, for the Red Cross; Dr. Anna H. 
Shaw, for Women's Defense work, and George Wharton Pepper, 
for the State of Pennsylvania, suggesting a formation of a Na- 
tional Service Reserve to include all men and women not subject 
to conscription to undertake any work to which they might be 
assigned. 

I returned to Denver Sunday, May 6, 1917. 

It is almost impossible to attempt to relate in detail the ad- 
dresses which were made and the suggestions which were given, 
but I understand that a summary of the most important points is 
being prepared by Mr. George F. Porter, in charge of the Section 
for Co-operation with State Organizations, and will be duly 
transmitted to yourself and your War Council for use. The most 
important suggestions, however, seem to me capable of summary 
as follows : 

1. The federal government is looking to the several states 
for prompt, independent and sovereign action upon matters which 
are not exclusively in the control of the federal government. 

2. Every aid should be immediately given to the new en- 
rollment and"^ subscription to the end that service may be con- 
sidered a privilege and that enrollment itself shall partake of a 
national holidayand the service in connection therewith shall be 
voluntary through the civil officers and at the local registration 
places. 

3. Production of food should be increased in every possible 
way and waste and extravagance should be eliminated. 

4. Mr. Porter, as the head of the Section for Co-operation 
Avith State Organizations, Avill maintain headquarters in the 
Munsey Building, Avith an ample corps of assistants, ])repared to 
answer promptly all questions wdiich may be submitted to him by 
the several states, and in this connection I gave him the name of 
Mr. H. W. Cornell, Director of Organization of your War Coun- 
cil, as the person Avith Avhom all correspondence should be held. 

5. The duration of the Avar is uncertain and it is expected 

[15] 



that other and perhaps frequent conferences with executives of 
the several states will be called and held in Washington. 

My i^ersonal opinion is that from the President of the United 
States down to the lowest official, everybody has a true conception 
of the seriousness of the task in which -we are engaged, that the 
Council of National Defense, with its Advisory Committee, con- 
stitute the creation of a new branch of the executive, which will 
have growing power as the war goes on, which is organized on a 
thorough business basis and which will see that the business side 
of the preparation for this war is attended to even more efficiently 
than the private business of the nation has heretofore been at- 
tended to. 

The President and Secretary of War repeatedly emphasized 
the unreservedness with which the capital of the nation had ten- 
dered itself to the government for use and service, and that it 
was much to be desired that the ordinary normal, civil business 
and social life of the nation should be maintained and as little as 
j)ossible disturbed by the extraordinary war preparation and 
activity. 

Respectfully submitted, 

(Signed) GEEALD HUGHES. 



16 



REPORT OF THE MARKETING COMMITTEE OF THE 
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE OF THE GOV- 
ERNOR'S WAR COUNCIL, STATE OF 
COLORADO. JULY 19, 1917. 



IN TROD U CTION . 

While the work of the Marketing Committee Avhich is work- 
ing in co-operation Avith the Colorado Office of Markets, an 
agency conducted by the Federal Bureau of Markets of the 
United States Department of Agriculture and the State Agricul- 
tural College, was well outlined soon after the creation of the 
committee, work was not under way to any great extent until the 
first of July, it being necessary to await the organization of the 
County Ways and Means Committees and pending the arrival of 
experts employed to conduct the field work for the committee. 

INVESTIGATIONS. 

The work of the committee has been carried out along the 
lines presented in the plans contained in the statement support- 
ing the budget which was allowed by the War Council to con- 
diict the work of the Marketing Committee. 

a. Survey. 

The information desired with reference to crop, marketing, 
storage, transportation and distribution facilities throughout the 
state is being rapidly secured in compliance with requests made 
of the County Ways and Means Committees. It is hoped to have 
all of this information from the principal producing sections of 
the state available for tabulation by the first of August. Such 
constructive work as is carried on will be based upon the informa- 
tion secured from the survey. 

b. Perishables. 

The first problem of any considerable size which will be con- 
fronted in Colorado in marketing will be the proper handling of 
the peach crop -on the AVestern Slope. Special attention has been 
given to this, representatives from the committee having visited 
all of the principal points on the Western Slope, giving assistance 
to the various local Marketing Committees concerning the proper 
packing, necessary containers and ascertaining the transjiorta'tion 
requirements for moving the crop. 

c. Common Storage. 



Personal assistance is being rendered prodncers in the matter 
of constructing pit and common storage facilities for apples, 
potatoes and root crops. Plans with the estimated cost of con- 
struction for various types of pit and common storages have been 
furnished the Marketing Committees and producers. A survey 
of the 2^resent facilities of the Western Slope was made by a rep- 
resentative of the central committee and he is now rendering 
assistance to such communities as are interested in the subject of 
storages. As a result of our educational work relating to storages, 
to our knowledge one 50,000-bushel grain elevator is being con- 
structed at Delta, a large common fruit storage is being construct- 
ed at the same place by one of the large fruit handlers, and several 
temporary or pit storages for apples or potatoes are being built. 
Iji Mesa and Montrose Counties several common storages for 
apples of the permanent type of construction are being built and 
numerous pit storages are being constructed. There is upon the 
press a pamphlet giving instructions with reference to the con- 
struction of pit storages for potatoes and apples. As a result of 
the educational work which is being done with reference to stor- 
ing, considerable interest is being taken and it is safe to say that 
the farm storage facilities wnll be considerably increased this 
year, 

d. Preservation of Fruit and Vegetable Products. 

Educational circulars have been issued giving' the methods 
of sun drying and instructions for communities on home canning 
and evaporating. A specialist employed by the committee is now 
giving personal assistance to the various fruit and vegetable sec- 
tions of the state with reference to canning and evaporating. It 
is too late in the season to construct commercial ]ilants to handle 
fruit and vegetable surpluses, but the educational work which is 
being done should result in the construction of several commercial 
plants for handling the 1918 crop. The best that can be hoped 
for in this work is to assist those who now have the facilities and 
bring to the realization of capital and the producers ^he necessity 
of constructing plants in various sections in Colorado to handle 
surplus products in future years. 

e. Transportation. 

An estimate has been secured from the various producing 
sections of the quantity of perishables which must be moved by 
railroads this coming harvest. A conference will be held this 
week between officials of the railroads and shipping associations 
and large producers in the hope that such action as necessary can 
be taken to insure a proper car supply. This means co-operation 
both on the part of the producers and the railroads. 

f. Miscellaneous. 

[18 1 



A large amount of miscellaneous educational material is be- 
ing placed in the hands of the various marketing committees and 
personal assistance rendered when necessary in outlining the 
method of handling local marketing- problems. The Marketing 
Committee is in close touch with officials of the federal govern- 
ment and is doing all it can to see that such assistance as can be 
given by the government is secured. Arrangements have been 
made to place Granges, Farmers' Unions and other organizations 
in the dry land sections in touch with producers in fruit sections 
so that carload quantities of perishables can be shipped direct 
from producing to consuming sections. 

During the next few weeks a large Central Sales Agenc}" for 
the Honey Producers of the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest 
States will be formed in Denver with the assistance of the Bureau 
of Markets of the Department of Agriculture. 

A series of Harvest Week campaigns has been outlined, which 
will be carried on by the Denver Civic and Commercial Associa- 
tion, peach week, apple week and penr week being specially 
featured. 

The Colorado Bean Growers' Association has been organized 
and membership in this is increasing daily. Indications are that 
a big percentage of the bean growers of the state will become 
members. Through this organization it is hoped to assist ma- 
terially in a more effective distribution of Colorado's large bean 
crop. 

The possibility of the state being able to sell a large pool of 
beans and potatoes to the purchasing agent of the federal govern- 
ment or the allied governments has been taken up with the proper 
officials at Washington and it is believed that it will be possible 
to dispose of large quantities of these two products in pools in 
this manner. 

The Marketing Committee has acted in the capacity of an 
Information Bureau where producers, the trade and consumers 
can secure reliable data with reference to all phases of the food 
problem. We have accumulated information from federal gov- 
ernment, state agricultural departments and other agencies, plac- 
ing this information in suitable form for the use of the Market- 
ing Committees in each of the counties. 

CONCLUSION. 

While receiving hearty co-oj)eration from many of the prin- 
cipal agricultural counties, there are some counties which as yet 
have shown no willingness to co-operate. A representative of the 
committee is now visiting the various sections of Northern Colo- 
rado and it is hoped to line up delinquent counties so that the 
information requested from them will be furnished and the Mar- 

[19 1 



020 933 534 7' 

ketino- Committee will be jDlaced in a position to help the pro- 
ducers. There is attache'd herewith a statement giving a list of 
the counties which so far have shown a willingness to co-operate. 
It is believed that many of the counties from which no replies 
have as yet been received are conducting preliminary surveys to 
secure the information which we have requested and as soon as 
the surveys are completed the information will be furnished. It 
is felt that practically all of the counties will co-operate to the 
fullest extent after we have had an oj:)portunity to explain in 
detail the work and method of operation of the Central Market- 
ing Committee. With a few exceptions most hearty support has 
been given by producers, the trade and consumers, and the com- 
mittee is satisfied that constructive results will be secured. In 
fact we are already beginning to see the results of our early work. 

Respectfully submitted, 

W. H. KEER (ByP. S.), 

Chairman. 



[20 



.85 

.C6 05 
1917 
Copy 1 



020 9-^^ 



